In the company of wonderful blogging women...
Nocturnal wanderings..
I woke at 3:30 am the other night..with my brain in autopilot. I knew it would not give me a moments peace so I gave into it. I grabbed my iPhone, iPad and a book and made my way downstairs. I think that was my first mistake, as the hours passed I knew my mind was no closer to resting than I was. I happened to mention this little early morning escapade to my friends on Facebook, just wondering if anyone ever experienced the same nocturnal mindlessness. The response was unanimous..more often than not was the response. I felt a weight had lifted, someone else understood. I wasn't the only one up in the wee hours of the night with a brain in autopilot. I sighed... happy with the thought that once again, I was in company of wonderful women.
and waking to a brilliant idea.
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| La Contessa Copyright Carla Coulson |
La Contessa Copyright Carla Coulson
All I can say is BRAVO La Contessa...you dreamed BIG and made it HAPPEN!
I just LOVE a woman with a PLAN!
Creative spirit and wit...
Beatrice lived a bohemian artist's lifestyle, married twice, fell deeply in love seven times and did not marry any of the latter. She thought of herself as a romantic and spent her last years in Happy Valley (Ojai, California) alongside a mountain. She said the mountain was the only partner she could count on "to be there when I go to bed at night and still be there when I wake up in the morning". A spirit to love...to read more about Beatrice Woods formidable creative life read here
and keeping it real with Deb.
Deb writes @ Dumbwit Tellher. I always wish she would write more, for when she does, she gets me heart and soul. If you have not read Dear World..Do you see me? I encourage you to read along. Deb is an American Expat married to a Scotsman living in bonny Scotland. She moved to Scotland shortly before I moved from England to Vietnam and I have been following her ever since. We have not met in person, but it doesn't matter, like all my blogging friends, I know when I have found a kindred spirit. The time will come, it inevitably does...when you are in the company of wonderful women. |
| Deb..keeping it real in Scotland with.. Dear World..Do you see me? |
Yoga me..Yoga Do..
As for me, in an attempt to calm the mind and loosen up the body (and hopefully sleep better) I decided after all these years to take up yoga. Can I just say that it sounds easier than it actually is. If you have ever tried yoga in a class when you have no clue as to what is going on..you may sympathise with the cartoon below...I did.
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In the midst of my nocturnal wandering one night I decided to take the bull by the horns. I am now playing it smart and taking private lessons to get the 'hang of it' before attempting to 'blend in'. My flexibility is improving and I can feel the difference. I am drawing on the "joie de vivre" of La Contessa, the creative spirit of Beatrice Wood and the 'get real' attitude of Deb..remembering all the while that "It is never too late to be what you might have been" when you are in the company of wonderful women.
I can do it...I know I can!
How about you?
Sadly, those night time wanderings seem to be a thing we women do - part of aging? I've finally settled down to reading for an hour and that usually does it for me. And, yoga is a great idea. I need to get back to it - definitely helps the flexibility and balance and we all need that terribly.
ReplyDeleteHope things are ok on your side of the world today. Take care.
That we do Webb..I hope you are able to get back to it as well. My side of the world is looking pretty good today...hope yours is too. ;)
DeleteQuite an inspiring post, Jeanne. I'm stopping by after a long time and I'm loving what I've just read.
ReplyDeleteHope you're doing just fine.
Joy always,
Susan
xoxo
So lovely to see your smiling face in the comments Susan...sending you best wishes...xx
DeleteOH MY GOODNESS!You took my breath away.........again!THANK~YOU!!!!It seems I have done something right and inspired a few people!I received a parcel in the mail from Carla on Saturday!The prints are here......you wouldNOT believe the packaging!A RED BOX tied with a beautiful bow!An old postcard of IL RATTO DELLE SABINE DI GIAMBOLOGNA with a hand written note to me. A treasure BOX.............a real TREASURE of the prints she made for me.I loved every moment with her and the week I spent with my boys................XXX
ReplyDeleteYou have inspired us all La Contessa! Thank you, it has been an absolute pleasure! ;) ...xxxx
DeleteJeanne,
ReplyDeleteWell, I have to say I love your posts! Some of the best conversations with my gal friends are inspired from your interesting thoughts, travels, and experiences. You have such a way with words that captures my attention. I always look forward to seeing what's on your mind. ~ Sue M.
You made my day Sue...so very thoughful of you to say. It sparked a few other ideas...coming soon.. ;)
DeleteI am always inspired and feel encouraged reading about other accomplished women that you presented here. I will check out Deb's Blog. I have tried Hot yoga and it was challenging. I guess, I should give it another try again. All the best to you. You can do it!
ReplyDeleteThat is next on my list Pamela...hot yoga. Saying that, I wonder with the 100% humidity we are having these days if I should just move into the backyard. Either way, I am in for a hot one! You try, and I will try and then we can chat. ;)
DeleteOh Jeanne, I am so deeply touched and above all honoured with your words (not to mention teary!). YOU are one of those women that helps fuel my desire to live a life outside the box. Your love of travel, exploration, photography, & family captured me from the start of following your great writings and photography. I absolutely love what you mean by "It's never too late to be what you might have been". I want to be so much more. As for yoga, I need to take another lead here from you and dip my toe into that world too!! Jeanne I know if (and hopefully when) we meet one day, we will be fast friends. Thank you! xox
ReplyDeleteThank you Deb...I am sure of it as well..fast friends! It is my absolute pleasure to pass on your good words, I know so many will be able to relate and sometimes that is all we need. xxx
Deletei can do it also + loved this post! xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
ReplyDeleteSo glad Peggy, I had a feeling you would say that! xx
DeleteOh Jeanne, I wish I could be as brave and follow my dreams right to the end. But most times, I give up somewhere along the way. I saw la Contessa's photos. So very, very gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI do that too Loree...somedays it is a constant battle of pep talks with me..talking to myself. Others day..it is clear as light...I think yoga helped me this week. ;)
DeleteThank you Jeanne for sharing these wonderful links...they will keep me company during my own nocturnal wandering. xoxo
ReplyDeleteHappy to oblige another nocturnal wanderer Sandy...we are all in very good company... ;) xx
DeleteThe blend of the three wonderful, creative, resourceful women-you are.
ReplyDeleteNocturnal wanderings can be a very creative time. A few time times I found myself waking up early and writing poetry.
Your writing has been prolific as of late edgar, I so enjoy opening the posts that are forwarded to my inbox to see what you have written. Keep doings whatever you are doing, it has been so enjoyable for all us following along. ;)
DeleteThe night waking is definitely part of this time of life. Partly hormonal, partly all the shifts. And you add accumulated jet lag, too, with all your travel.
ReplyDeleteI like how you celebrate your blog friends. Very generous. xoxox.
It keeps me blogging Lisa...so many inspiring women, you included! xx
DeleteYou absolutely can do it! Love all your links. I will grab a hot chocolate this afternoon and indulge in reading about all that inspires you {thank you!} and be inspired myself. Love Beatrice Wood ~ trying to learn her lessons. Doing yoga has been wonderful for me and I know you will love it as well. The "magic" is when you feel the difference that it makes. It is quite subtle but just taking the time to do the yoga and breath {very important} has made all the difference in the world to me. I keep coming back to it and pushing myself that little bit more to go that little bit further. I hope you enjoy your journey. You can do it!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Gina...your words are very encouraging. I completely understand what you are saying about the subtle changes, it does happen. The breath...what a challenge that is! When you find the place where you need to go, it is the best feeling ever. Lots of concentration required, not always my strong suit but I am getting there...xx
DeleteThank you for your post; it came at a perfect time. ~Kathleen
ReplyDeleteKathleen....lovely to hear! ;)
DeleteI started yoga long ago...with a friend who still goes to the firehouse where the instructor puts her charges through an easy form suited to our older bodies. I left town but still work from a yoga DVD by Ali McGraw...decades ago...1994! Think I should change it up and go to beach yoga?
ReplyDeleteGenerally, I go to bed at 9 p.m. and get up at 4 a.m. great sleep, early rising gives me time to move through my morning rituals of blogging, water drinking, coffee sipping, creating my day to come... :) Nothing wrong with night wanderings as far as I'm concerned. It's just my body telling me I've had enough sleep for awhile and let's go do something else :)
I always like the way you look at life Becky...as for beach yoga, that is a yes from me! If I went to bed at 9:00pm...I would do the same, up at 4:00am. Maybe that is the secret, I will have to try that. Be sure to let me know how beach yoga works out...just loving the sound of it. ;)
DeleteGood for you for starting something new and giving it a shot! These are inspiring stories. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThank you Mary...;)
DeleteSomething's in the air. I discovered it when I began to write my blog. I began to breathe. You might call it wisdom or authenticity or grace. I often think of it as repose of the soul. Something's in the air and isn't it wonderful when it comes your way and you can breathe deeply, and take it all in ~
ReplyDeleteI know that feeling Lisa and it is so true. Wisdom, authenticity, grace, repose of the soul...breathing deeply. It's all there..love your collection of words! I am going to add them to my Little Book of Hope..thank you! xx
DeleteWonderful Jeanne... Isn't La Contessa's photography shoot amazing... she is the best and Carla really did an amazing job... and Deb... her writing had me in tears... it was so thought provoking...and spot on...
ReplyDeleteLovely post... xv
La Contessa's photos are drop dead gorgeous Vicky...I have spent the entire week thinking what I would wear in the same situation, it has been fun and challenging. Deb was spot on and we all know how special it is to write and read when it comes from the heart. I love the way Deb writes..and as for Beatrice...getting it going 'full steam at 80'..god bless her! xx
DeleteJeanne,
ReplyDeleteI never know what I'm going to find when I visit, but it's always a surprise (a nice one), thought provoking, thoughtful and interesting. I love seeing what you are up to on a day in your world through Instagram. And although we have not met, I feel like I know you!
xo
annie
p.s. I do feel like the tin man in my yoga class!
I have the same feeling Annie...I think Instagram is a lovely way to connect and I have equally enjoyed following your trails. So happy to have you in my company of wonderful women...xx
DeletePS..I hesitated on the tin man photo but it is so true! ;)
Jeanne,
ReplyDeleteA wonderful post highlighting some even more wonderful women, La Contessa-fabulous photos. Debs post, thought provoking and Carla's photography is magical.
I am not a night time wanderer, but I am a night owl and often go to bed between 1-2:00 and then up at 7:30. As for yoga, I love it. My huband and I used to take yoga classes 5 days a week. Now just one or two. Have you done the wall yoga? The one with the straps on the wall? Great fun and great stretching.
Thanks for sharing! Have a beautiful day.
Hi Elizabeth...I tried the wall and strap number the other day, wow! To say it is challenging is putting it mildly... ;)
DeleteOh, I missed this one too! But I just wanted to say that I think that it is really fantastic that you are taking private yoga lessons to get you going. My Mom taught yoga in the 70s when that was considered a very hippyish thing to do. There are photos of my Sis and I doing our little downdogs on the lawn from an early age! I stopped doing yoga for years and actually came back to it to treat my depression (and insomnia) more than for any physical reason. What was great was that the basics were still in me. And also because of that, I can do yoga on my own--which is important for me as I really didn't like taking classes in French (a very different style here) and/or couldn't afford them. Plus, when we were travelling so much, it was good for me to be able to continue my own practice wherever. Now, I use My Yoga Online : http://www.myyogaonline.com/
ReplyDeleteThey are having a free trial period starting tomorrow and yes, they do have beginner videos. But again, bravo for taking class on your own. It really will get you to the heart of the experience, which is a wonderful place to be!
And ps: Don't get the wrong idea! I am not some amazing yogi, no, I have stayed at my Level 2 stage and have crazy weak arms (you asked about the hover-ha!) but wow does it do me good.
Bisous,
H
Hi Heather
DeleteSo interesting to hear your thoughts on yoga. I was trying to describe the difference between yoga and pilates to someone today and it came down to just what you said. It seems to fulfilll both a physical and spiritual need, something that I do not find with pilates. Isn't it amazing what a deep breathing and yoga can do for the soul. These past few years I seem to have been in a constant state of injury and rather than risk it again, I decided to approach yoga with private lessons. It was suggested by my Ostepath a few weeks ago after walking into his office, a bundle of nerves and tension. Knock on wood, all is going well and I look forward to sticking with it. Thank so much for the link..I will check it out. I am at the point where I am able to do a few routines at home and will hopefully get into a group class. You are so right, it is a wonderful place to be! xx
Oh good! I would just add that once you do start looking around for group classes, try a bunch. There are so many different schools out there and there is a HUGE difference in what they offer plus each teacher has a personality that will either gel with you or no. My Mom came from an Iyengar background, so that is what I learned (which is great because I understand the anatomy of a pose) but now I prefer more Vinyasa flow oriented practices. And for a while I needed to try Kundalini just to work through some emotional stuff--it pushes it out! I hope that you will include some Restorative classes as well for tension relief--they are important and no, it is not "cheating"! ;)
DeleteBut please go sloooowly and be kind to yourself. Yoga is not a competition, ever. It is just for you. Actually, when I do yoga, it is one of the moments when I feel most myself. That is reason enough!
One other thought for your injuries--another good website is Yoga Today:
http://www.yogatoday.com
They have an EXCELLENT mainly seated class called "yoga for pain relief" that is perfect for working through scar tissue in a thoughtful yet really helpful manner. I used that class after recovering from a tough surgery and still do for my aches and pains.
I hope this is helpful. I know that you suffer from insomnia too. I woke up at 4 last night and used yoga breathing to get me back to bed. It works!
Gros Bisous,
H